Sadibou Kamaso, head of the Team- Restore Confidence, launched his manifesto for the upcoming national football elections on Saturday. During the event, Mr. Kamaso unveiled his strategic plan, titled "The Starting XI." These reforms are part of Team- Restore Confidence’s broader strategy aimed at strengthening football governance and development within The Gambia. Kamaso stated, "The bedrock of our mission is to stimulate interest and passion for the game of football in The Gambia with a view to increase stakeholder participation in the game. This holistic approach is aimed at generating productive ideas for the development of the game across the length and breadth of the country to bring football and its benefits to the doorstep of every Gambian." The ambitious reforms outlined in "The Starting XI" are designed to address various challenges facing Gambian football and elevate its standards across all levels.
The "Starting XI" Plan Detailed
The "Starting XI" manifesto includes a nationwide stakeholder engagement tour, which is set to involve regional associations, league clubs, and allied associations. This tour aims to foster greater collaboration and gather input from all key players in Gambian football. The proposed plan also features the publication of a 12-month federation calendar to provide clarity and predictability for football activities, ensuring all stakeholders are aware of upcoming events and deadlines. Team- Restore Confidence further intends to implement a full competition integrity plan as part of its strategy, designed to uphold fairness and prevent manipulation in all football competitions. This focus on transparency and ethical conduct is central to their vision for the Gambia Football Federation (GFF).
The team outlined plans to establish dedicated legal and compliance functions within the Gambia Football Federation (GFF). These functions would ensure adherence to national and international football regulations, promoting good governance. Alongside this, the manifesto indicates the creation of monitoring and evaluation functions to track progress and ensure accountability within the GFF. These new departments are expected to provide strong oversight and continuous assessment of the federation's operations and projects. A key initiative is the League Clubs Excellence Programme Assessment Phase, designed to evaluate and enhance the performance of league clubs, aiming to professionalize club management and operations. Additionally, the team committed to developing a Youth Registration Database Project, aiming to streamline the registration and tracking of young players across The Gambia, thereby supporting talent identification and development from an early age. These strategic reforms form a key part of Team- Restore Confidence’s broader strategy to strengthen football governance and development in The Gambia, ensuring a sustainable future for the sport.
Kamaso's Background and Support
Sadibou Kamaso previously served as a member of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) executive committee under the leadership of Lamin Kaba Bajo. This prior experience within the federation provides him with an intimate understanding of its operations and challenges. Mr. Kamaso also challenged Lamin Kaba Bajo for the presidency in 2022, demonstrating his long-standing commitment to leading the GFF. His current campaign, Team- Restore Confidence, has drew support from prominent figures in Gambian football, including referee Papa Gassama. Mr. Gassama endorsed Kamaso, stating he is "the one deserving trust and confidence to run Gambian football." This backing notes the breadth of support for Kamaso's vision as he seeks to lead the GFF, indicating a significant level of confidence from influential members of the football community.
Vision for Gambian Football
Former Gambian international Momodou Ceesay attended the launching event for Sadibou Kamaso's "The Starting XI" manifesto. Mr. Ceesay’s presence at the manifesto launch showed the engagement of notable figures from Gambian football with Team- Restore Confidence's proposals. The event, which detailed Kamaso's strategic vision for the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) presidency, drew attention from various stakeholders in the country's football community. His attendance signaled broader interest in the outlined plans for reforming football governance and development within The Gambia, suggesting that the proposals resonate with key personalities invested in the sport's future. The manifesto aims to address key aspects of local football, from grassroots development to improving the overall structure of the sport, promising a full approach to revitalizing Gambian football.
